Jean Cocteau Repertory, the small New York City company devoted to classics of the Western canon, is staging Rod McLucas' new translation of Moliere's classic, The Misanthrope. The production, which began performances April 6, and opened April 20, will give its last performance on May 27. McLucas also directs.

Jean Cocteau Repertory, the small New York City company devoted to classics of the Western canon, is staging Rod McLucas' new translation of Moliere's classic, The Misanthrope. The production, which began performances April 6, and opened April 20, will give its last performance on May 27. McLucas also directs.

The Misanthrope of the title is one Alceste, a Parisian who has nothing but disgust and contempt for the hypocritical and shallow ways of society — and says so to anybody he meets. The only thing preventing him from extracting himself completely from the world of men is that that world is inhabited by the one woman he loves — a woman he believes sees things as he does.

Classic Stage Company presented Martin Crimp's updated adaptation of Moliere's satire in early 1999, in a production starring Uma Thurman and Roger Rees.

Tickets are $15-$40. Jean Cocteau Rep is located at 333 Bowery. For more information, call (212) 677-0060.